Are you looking for tips to make DVD burning a stress-free experience? Below are a few practical and sensible tips that will help you circumvent common DVD burning and playback problems. As veteran disc copiers will tell you, DVD burning isn't rocket science. There's no secret formula to success. Nor is there an IQ requirement to get the job done. There is, however, a need for a bit of common sense. Read on and discover things you probably already know but don't necessarily practice.

1. Always use reliable media. The quality of the blank DVD-R used often gets the blame for the bulk of burning errors. And while it isn't always the only culprit, neither is it merely a scapegoat. The kind of blank media you use can and does affect the integrity of your finished product. Burning starts with selecting the right blank media. Right doesn't always mean expensive though. Many reliable brands are reasonably priced. Generally, however, very cheap discs fall short of being right. So think twice before scrimping on DVD-Rs. In the long run, the little that you do save may cost you more in the form of defective copies.

2. Examine each and every disc. Occasionally, faulty discs can slip through the quality control inspection of even the most reputable manufacturers. Before burning, inspect the recordable underside of each DVD-R for cracks, scratches, spots and blotches. Physical defects, especially those on the disc's photosensitive layer, will cause recording flaws and playback distortions.

3. Keep things clean. Burning errors can arise from the use of unclean hardware or media. Dust the outside of your DVD burner regularly to prevent contaminants from reaching the laser eye. Also handle and store discs with care. Keep them free of dust, grime or grease that may result in imperfect and unplayable copies.

4. Choose your software and hardware wisely. Look for user-friendly software that you can effortlessly navigate through. If your software has a complicated interface, you can easily make mistakes that can undermine the burning process. Also make sure that both your DVD burner and software have good customer tech support. When things go wrong, it always helps to consult the experts.

5. Keep your software updated. Burning errors are sometimes due to software bugs. Once anomalies are detected, software designers devise patches to remedy them. If you register your burning application and regularly install updates, you could save yourself a lot of needless trouble.

6. Check for compatibility. The format of the disc can dictate its playability. By default, the Universal Disc Format (UDF) specifications of most burning programs are automatically set at UDF 1.5. However, UDF 1.5 cannot be read by all drives and players. By switching to UDF 1.02 you can make your discs readable across the board. Don't panic, it's not as complicated as it sounds. You can easily assign UDF values from a list or dropdown menu.

7. Don't multitask. For quicker and more efficient disc burning, turn off all other programs, including antivirus software, games and screensavers. The burning process is resource intensive. If you have other applications running in the background, the procedure may take longer than necessary. By overtaxing your system, you also leave yourself open to avoidable burning errors.

8. Don't rush things. If you have time on your hands, burn at slower speeds. Doing so will reduce the risk of errors. If you're willing to endure the wait, burning at slower speeds can yield more stable and higher quality DVDs.

9. Label with care. How you tag your DVDs can affect their performance. If you don't want to invest in a new hardware that can print directly onto blank discs, you can choose either of the following options. a. Simply write on your disc. But be sure to write lightly using a felt-tipped pen. Sharp writing instruments may scrape through the topmost stratum of the disc and damage the fragile recordable layer underneath it. b. Use adhesive labels. Opt for the full, donut-style stickers that cover the entire disc. Avoid tiny stickers (such as mailing labels) that can affect the balance and performance of your DVD as it spins in your player. Small labels can also easily come loose and damage your player during playback. DVD burning problems are often the result of a compendium of mistakes, many of which can be avoided using good old common sense.

As the above steps show, if you don't overlook the obvious, burning can be a no-brainer, really.